Self-adjusting undergarment



July 5, 1966 J. R. MARTIN 3,258,783

SELF-ADJUSTING UNDERGARMENT Filed May 25, 1964 INVENTOR Joseph R.Mor'rnATTORNEY United States Patent O 3,258,783 SELF-ADJUSTING UNDERGARMENTJoseph R. Martin, Statesville, N.C., assignor to Flexnit Company, Inc.,New York, N.Y., a corporation of Delaware Filed May 25, 1964, Ser. No.369,905 4 Claims. (Cl. 2-221) The present invention relates, generally,to undergarments particularly adapted to be worn by the female species.

More particularly, the present invention pertains to undergarments thatare particu-larly adapted .to encompass a substantial portion of thetorso of the female species, said undergarment being so constructed andarranged as to be self-adjustable, particularly with respect to thoseportions of the torso known as the waist and hips, enabling the garmentto be used by a substantial segment of the female population,substantially irrespective of the dimensional extents and geometriesthereof, and further enabling said garment to accommodate the expandinggirth of a female during her pregnancy.

Presently, a female might purchase an undergarment, such as a slip,whether it be a full-slip or a half-slip, by requesting a particularsize corresponding generally with the dimensions and the geometries ofher torso. While the underg-arments of this type that are presentlyavailable are usually adjustable in the waist, the degree ofadjustability is not sufficient to render them useful by a large segmentof the female population, especially since size often varies widely fromone female to the next. Accordingly, each manufacturer, for each designof an undergarment of this type, must fabricate and make available arelative plethora of different sizes. In addition, the female whoseweight uctuates radically may even be required to purchase differentsize undergarments of this type.

Moreover, a unique problem is presented to the pregnant female.Undergarments of this type, namely, slips, that are purchased prior topregnancy, even if the waist band is fabricated of distensible material,are no longer useful as the abdomen protrudes as the period of gestationproceeds. Accordingly, a special maternity slip must be purchased, thesame being so constructed and arranged as to adjust to the increasinggirth of the abdomen. Maternity garments as are presently available,however, often provide for adjustment in a most complicated manner. Forexample, there may be provided a plurality of panels that areparticularly adapted to be disposed in overlying relationship withrespect to one another, and are adjustably associated with one anotherby means of tie strings. Adjusting an undergarment of this type can betime consuming, and, for the female nearing the end of the aforesaidperiod of gestation, can be inconvenient, uncomfortable, and evendiflicult.

Accordingly, having in mind each and every one of the aforesaiddisadvantages, and others that will be readily apparent to those skilledin the art, it is a primary object of the present invention to providean undergarment that is particularly adapted to encompass a substantialportion of the torso of the female species, said undergarment being soconstructed and arranged as to self-adjustably accommodate thoseportions of the torso known as the waist and hips, substantiallyirrespective of the widely divergent dimensional extents and geometriesthereof, enabling the garment to be used by a substantial segment of thefemale population, and further enabling said undergarment toself-adjustably accommodate the expanding girth of a fem-ale as sheenters a period of gestation and progresses therethrough.

Another primary object of the present invention is to provide anundergarment that is particularly adapted to 3,258,783- Patented July 5,1966 lCC encompass a substantial portion of the torso of the femalespecies, said undergarment comprising a waist encompassing band that isfabricated of a distendable material at least substantially completelyabout the periphery thereof, tand at least one self-adjustable panelfabricated of a material distendable in each of a plurality ofdirections, said panel being disposed generally frontally of saidundergarment, enabling said undergarment to self-adjustably accommodatethose portions of the torso known as the waist and hips, substantiallyirrespective of the widely divergent dimensional extents and geometriesthereof, whereby said undergarment can be used bya substantial segmentof the female population, and further enabling said undergarment toself-adjustably accommodate the expanding girth of a female as sheenters `a period of gestation and progresses therethrough.

Other objects and important features of the invention will be apparentfrom a study of the specification following taken with the drawings,which together show, illustrate, describe and disclose a preferredembodiment or modification of the invention and what is now consideredto be the best mode of practicing the principles thereof. Otherembodiments or modifications may be suggested to those having thebenefit of `the teachings herein, and such other embodiments ormodifications are intended to be reserved especially as they fall withinthe scope and spirit of the subjoined claims.

In the drawings:

FIG. 1 is ia front elevation view of an undergarment constructed inaccordance with the principles of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a side elevation view of the undergarment illustrated in FIG.l; and

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line 3-3 of FIG. l.

With reference now to the drawings, it will be understood, at theouts-et, that an undergarment constructed in accordance with theprinciples of the present invention, and generally designated by thereference character 10, may comprise either a half-slip, as illustratedin the drawing, and described hereinafter, or a full-slip. In eithercase, it will be further understood that such an undergarment isparticularly adapted -to cover or encompass a substantial portion of thetorso 12 of a female, illustrated in phantom in the drawing.

The undergarment or slip 10 comprises a generally frontally disposedpanel 14, and a generally rearwardly disposed panel 16. These panels maybe fabricated of any suitable material, and, for example, may befabricated of one that is non-distendable or non-stretchable. Inaddition, each of the panels is of substantially the same transversedimensional extent or width, extending from one side of thetorso 12 tothe other side thereof. At the sides of the undergarment 10, the panels14 and 16 are particularly adapted to be structurally operativelyassociated with one another, in any suitable manner, as by means ofstitching 18, enabling the garment to encompass the torso, ashereinbefore pointed out.

The longitudinal dimensional extent or length of the panel 14 issubstantially the same as that of the panel 16. This dimension may be ofany desired extent, and, as pointed out above, may be chosen so that thegarment comprises either a half-slip or a full-slip. Irrespective ofwhether the garment comprises a full or a half-slip, the longitudinaldimensional extent preferably is chosen so that the panels 14 and 16extend generally vertically downwardly of the torso 12, terminating a-ta lower end substantially adjacent that portion thereof known as theknees. A decorative panel 20, which may be fabricated of any suitablematerial, such as lace, may be structurally operatively associated withthe panels 14 and 16, at the aforesaid lower end, and, at that end, isparticularly adapted to extend completely about the periphery of thegarment.

The undergarment comprises, further, a waist band 22, which isparticularly adapted to extend 'completely about the periphery thereofat its other end, namely, at its upper end. Accordingly, the waist bandis particularly adapted to be disposed at that portion of the torso 12known as the waist, and may be structurally operatively associated withthe garment in any suitable manner and. fabricated of any suitablematerial. Preferably, however, the waist band is fabricated in such amanner and of such a material as to ren-der the same distensible atleast along a substantial portion of the periphery of the garment 10 atthe aforesaid upper end. lIn accordance with this construct-ion, asubstantial portion of the waist band 22 is fabricated of a distensiblematerial generally longitudinally thereof, In addition, the panels 14and 16, along that portion of the band 22 that is distensible, areshirred or gathered, as indicated at 24. It will be understood,the-refore, that the waist band 22 is distensible completelytransversely of the panel 16, and partially of the transverse dimensionof the panel 14, and the panels, in turn, are so constructed andarranged as to expand and contract therewith, as by means of theshirring 24.

A self-adjusting panel, generally designated by the reference character26, is particularly adapted to be disposed generally frontally of thegarment, and, to this end, is particularly adaptedr to be structurallyoperatively associated with the panel 14, in any suitable manner, as bymeans of stitching 27. The panel 27 may be fabricated of any suitablematerial' that is distensible in each of a plurality ofl directions,that is, stretchable generally vertically as well as generallyhorizontally, and is of a continuous generally arcuate or U-shapedconfiguration, extending from the waist band 22 of the garment,generally vertically downwardly therefrom.

In accordance with the `above construction, it will be seen that thepanel 26 comprise-s a plurality of legs 28 and 30, and a bight 32. The-transverse dimensional extent or width of each of the legs issubstantially the same. In addition, the legs are of taperingconfiguration, so that the aforesaid dimension gradually decreases asthe legs approach the bight 32. The combined width of the legs 28 and30, however, is less than the same dimension of the panel 14.Accordingly, the legs define a generally centrally disposed panel 34positioned therebetween. This panel may be fabricated of any suitablematerial, such as the same material from which the panels 14 and 16 arefabricated, and may be structurally operatively associated with thepanel 26 in any suitable manner, as by means of stitching 36. It willnow be understood that the panel 34 is particularly adapted to bedisposed in overlying relationship with that portion of the torso 12known as the abdomen. When it is fabricated of the same material as thepanel 14, this panel 34, in conjunction with the panel 26, will providecontrol and support for the abdomen when, for example, the tissuesthereof are fiaccid, as well as when a female begins and progressesthrough a period of gestation.

It will now be understood that the garment 10 is particularly adapted toself-adjustably accommodate the widely divergent dimensiona-l extentsand geometries of a substantial segment of the female population, sinceit is distensible at those portions particularly adapted to be disposedin overlying relationship with respect to the waist, hips and abdomen ofthe torso 12. This is particularly true since the waist band 22 isdistensible longitudinally thereof substantially completely about theperiphery of the garment 10 at one end thereof, namely, at the upper endor that end thereof particularly adapted to encompass that portion ofthe torso 12 known as the waist.. This is additionally true since theself-adjustable panel 26 is disposed generally frontally of the garmentand extends substantially completely transversely there- 4 of, as wellas generally vertically downwardly from the waist band 22.

Stated in other words, the panel 26 is so configured and arranged as tocorrespond generally with the configuration of the abdomen of the t-orso12, particularly at the periphery thereof, and to be disposed generallythereabout and therealong. In addition, the panel is so constructed andarranged as to be distensible in each of a plurality of directions.Accordingly, when the dimensional extent of the torso increases due toan increase in weight, or due to pregnancy, for example, the panel 26will distend in either one or both of said plurality of directions. Asthe abdomen protrudes, the change in the dimension thereof, as effectedat its periphery, will be self-adjustably accommodated by this panel.And', this will be true completely peripherally of the abdominal portionof the torso, since the waist band `22 is distensible in the manneraforesaid. lFurthermore, since the Panel 26 extends substantiallycompletely of the width of the panel 14, that is, since the legs 28 and30 are disposed at the sides of the garment 10, and are particularlyadapted to be disposed in overlying relationship with that portion ofthe torso known as the hips, or substantially adjacent thereto, anyincrease in the dimensional extent thereof will equally as well beself-adjustably accommodated by the panel 26. Still further, anyincrease in the girth of the torso 12 substantially at or adjacent thewaist of the torso will be self-adjustably accommodated by the `waistband 22. Of course, the same selfadjustable accommodation will takeplace if the dimensional extent of the torso 12 decreases, as by adecrease in weight. And, even variations at the derriere will becompensated for.

Thus, a single garment constructed in accordance with the principles ofthe present invention, or, at the most, a Very few garments, will beparticularly useful by a very substantial segment of the femalepopulation, irrespective of the widely divergent dimensional extents andgeometries thereof, and will be significantly useful by a pregnantfemale as she proceeds through the period of' gestation. The mere factthat a female purchased the garment 10 prior to pregnancy, however, doesnot necessitate the purchase of a garment specifically for that purpose.Of course, the garmet 10 can be used solely for maternity purposes. Theimportant concept is that once the garment 10 has been purchased, itneed not be stored away merely because the dimensional extents `and ge--ometries of the torso l2 vary, either because of variations in weight,or because of pregnancy.

The panel 26 has been described hereinbefore as being of a continuousarcuate configuration. It will be understood, however, that it is withinthe principles of the present invention to eliminate the bight of thepanel 26, so that there will be provided a plurality of suchselfadjusting panels disposed generally frontally of the garment.Inasmuch as one will be disposed at one side of the garment, and anotherwill be disposed at the other side of the garment, the criteria that theself-adjusting panel extend substantially completely of the transversedimensional extent or width of the garment 10 will still be satisfied.Of course, if desired, only a single such self-adjustable panel can bedisposed generally frontally of the garment 10, such panel being soconfigured and arranged as to satisfy each and every one of thehereinbefore set forth. criteria, namely, that it extend substantiallycompletely of the transverse dimensional extent of the front of thegarment, and generally vertically downwardly from the waist bandthereof.

`Certain terminology has been used in the above description to indicateand/or define various. directions. For example, such terminology asfrontallyj rearwardly, upper, lower, and the like, has been used. Suchterminology has been used to facilitate an understanding of the presentinvention, both in the aforesaid description, and in the ensuing claims,if and whenA used.

Accordingly, such terminology is to be construed and interpreted asbroadly as possible, in its normal and accepted sense, and is not in anyway to be considered limiting.

While the invention has been shown, illustrated, described and disclosedin terms of an embodiment or modification which it has assumed inpractice, the scope of the invention should not be deemed to be limitedby the precise embodiments or modifications herein shown, illustrated,described or disclosed, such other embodiments or modifications intendedto be reserved especially as they fall within lthe scope of the claimshere appended.

I claim:

1. An undergarment particularly adapted for use by a substantial segmentof the female population, substantially irrespective of the varyingdimensional extents or geometries thereof, even during the period ofgestation, and comprising, in combination:

a plurality of panels;

a waist portion structurally operatively associated with said panels atone end thereof;

said waist portion comprising a band fabricated of a material that isdistensible longitudinally thereof completely transversely of one ofsaid panels, and

only partially transversely of another of said panels; an additionalpanel of nondistensible material;

at least one self-adjusting panel of substantially U- shapedconfiguration particularly adapted to be disposed in structuraloperative association with at least one of said panels and forming partof said waist portion;

said adjustable panel being fabricated of a material distensible in eachof a plurality of directions, and being so configured and arranged as toextend substantially completely of the transverse dimensional extent ofsaid panels, and generally vertically downwardly from said waist band;

said additional panel being disposed within said selfadjusting panel;

enabling said adjustable panel and said waist band conjointly toself-adjustably accommodate for the varying dimensional extents andgeometries of the torso of the female species, even during the period ofgestation, particularly with respect to that area thereof known as thewaist, hips, and abdomen.

`2. An undergarment as defined in claim 1, wherein:

said adjustable panel is of continuous Iarcuate configuration, and isparticularly adapted lto extend along the periphery of the abdominalregion of the torso of the female species, enabling said ladjustablepanel and said waist band conjointly to respond to variations in thedimensional extents and geometries of the torso particularly withrespect to those areas thereof known as the waist, hips and abdomen.

3. An undergarment as defined in claim 1, wherein:

said adjustable panel is of discontinuous arcuate configuration, and isparticularly adapted to extend substantially along the periphery of theabdominal region of the torso of the female species, enabling saidadjustable panel and said Waist band conjointly to respond to Variationsin the dimensional extents and geometries of the torso particularly withrespect to .those areas thereof known as the waist, hips and abdomen.

4. An undergarment as defined in claim 1, wherein: said two panelsassociated with said band are shirred along a portion of each of themcorresponding with those portions of the Waist band that aredistensible.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,277,006 8/1918Weis 2-22l 2,873,452 2/1959 Jacobs 2-221 3,080,869 3/1963 Alberts12S-579 X FRANK I. COHEN, Primary Examiner.

JORfDON FRANKLIN, Examiner.

M. I. COLITZ, Assistant Examiner.

1. AN UNDERGARMENT PARTICULARLY ADAPTED FOR USE BY A SUBSTANTIAL SEGMENTOF THE FEMALE POPULATION, SUBSTANTIALLY IRESPECTIVE OF THE VARYINGDIMENSIONAL EXTENTS OR GEOMETRIES THEREOF, EVEN DURING THE PERIOD OFGESTATION, AND COMPRISING, IN COMBINATION: A PLURALITY OF PANELS; AWAIST PORTION STRUCTURALLY OPERATIVELY ASSOCIATED WITH SAID PANELS ATONE END THEREOF; SAID WAIST PORTION COMPRISING A BAND FABRICATED OF AMATERIAL THAT IS DISTENSIBLE LONGITUDINALLY THEREOF COMPLETELYTRANSVERSELY OF ONE OF SAID PANELS, AND ONLY PARTIALLY TRANSVERSELY OFANOTHER OF SAID PANELS; AN ADDITIONAL PANEL OF NONDISTENSIBLE MATERIAL;AT LEAST ONE SELF-ADJUSTING PANEL OF SUBSTANTIALLY USHAPED CONFIGURATIONPARTICULARLY ADAPTED TO BE DISPOSED IN STRUCTURAL OPERATIVE ASSOCIATIONWITH AT LEAST ONE OF SAID PANELS AND FORMING PART OF SAID WAIST PORTION;SAID ADJUSTABLE PANEL BEING FABRICATED OF A MATERIAL DISTENSIBLE IN EACHOF A PLURALITY OF DIRECTIONS, AND BEING SO CONFIGURED AND ARRANGED AS TOEXTEND SUBSTANTIALLY COMPLETELY OF THE TRANSVERSE DIMENSIONAL EXTENT OFSAID PANELS, AND GENERALLY VERTICALLY DOWNWARDLY FROM SAID WAIST BAND;SAID ADDITIONAL PANEL BEING DISPOSED WITHIN SAID SELFADJUSTING PANEL;ENABLING SAID ADJUSTABLE PANEL AND SAID WAIST BAND CONJOINTLY TOSELF-ADJUSTABLY ACCOMMODATE FOR THE VARYING DIMENSIONAL EXTENTS ANDGEOMETRIES OF THE TORSO OF THE FEMALE SPECIES, EVEN DURING THE PERIOD OFGESTATION, PARTICULARLY WITH RESPECT TO THAT AREA THEREOF KNOWN AS THEWAIST, HIPS, AND ABDOMEN.